Previewing the Pac-12

Arizona Wildcats

The Wildcats return three starters in Allonzo Trier, Rawle Alkins and Dusan Rustic to a team that won the Pac 12 Tournament last season. Joining them will be another Top 5 recruiting class put together by Sean Miller. Arizona will replace NBA lottery pick Lauri Markkanen with another future lottery pick, DeAndre Ayton. While Ayton doesn’t have the outside presence of Markkanen, his 7’6 wingspan and big body will help control the paint alongside Rustic. Aiding in the back court will be senior Parker Jackson-Cartwright and newcomer Brandon Randolph, who brings a great shooting stroke to Tucson. Add 6’7 wing Emmanuel Akot to the mix and Arizona is not just the conference favorite, they are in the very early National Championship conversation.